Express Housekeeping: How to Speed Clean, Lighten the Laundry Load, Cleaning Tricks & Tips

by Anna Shepard

Cover subtitle: How to speed-clean your way to a spotless home in just minutes a day.

Genres: Nonfiction

226 pages, ebook

First published February 21, 2011

Reviews

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty good. The basics of cleaning house and everything inside were in this book. There were great step-by-step pictures and 'recipes' for homemade cleaners. This was pretty much a how-to for stuff I've had to learn on my own, as well as a few tidbits I didn't already know. I loved the tips and tricks that were peppered through (I wasn't ever told how to do this stuff so I kinda muddled thru and would've loved to have read this book before being on my own) and the time saving quick pick-up pages for each section was pretty good. I definitely wrote down some of the ideas and recipes to keep for future reference and am willing going to try them. I'd say about 75% of this book I knew (although not as thoroughly) and the other 25% was a great help and worth reading. (I'm still not going to separate the laundry though, just fill 'er up and use cold water!) Everything was written clearly, understandably, and to-the-point without any complicated mumbo-jumbo. Great for first timers in the real world and old-hands too. Enjoy!

[Marci - · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be sent with all kids going off to College for the first time. It will show them absolutely everything they need to know on their first forage out of the house. Also great for the new young mom, or someone who needs to have a few inspired ways of doing things this is the book!

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Express Housekeeping has some good ideas. There are lots of useful tips on green cleaning, and using products like vinegar and baking soda instead of chemicals. I do think Shepard is a little loose with the term ‘express’. She’ll blatantly state that vacuuming the living room takes 4 minutes, but in smaller print will state that you need to pick everything up off the floor and get out the vacuum first, so she’s not counting prep or pre-cleaning time in her estimates. Also, she seems to think that the best way to avoid spending a long time every week cleaning your bathroom sink is to put on gloves and use a cream cleaner and sponge after every time you use it. That’s exactly what I’m going to do in the middle of the night when I get up to use the bathroom. Except for her ideas of timing, she does have good ideas on using household items to get your home clean for less money and less environmental impact that I was previously doing, so I’ll try some of her ideas.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad at all, compared to the other ones I tried on this trawl through the libraries' shelves. Especially better for someone who was taught nothing by their family, but my adult son and I did find a couple of good reminders. I like the format, the clear pictures, and the choice to include 'green' work at every opportunity (without getting preachy).

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

323 - 2019

[Storm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing I didn't already know or do.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't actually learn anything from this book, that doesn't make it any less fantastic. It should be required reading for everyone who intends to grow up and live on their own, starting at about age 10. It'd be the perfect gift for the kid leaving for college, or the new homeowner. I wish I'd had this book when I was 19, I wouldn't have had to painstakingly re-invent the wheel over and over again. The photos are clear, the text informative. It's kinda presented as the One True Way, but any way is better than no way at all.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a phenomenally helpful book! There is a purposeful art to cleaning-up that this book makes approachable and understandable through step-by-step instructions, photographs and checklists. I was very fond of the fast clean-up checklists which are super practical for when you're low on time and need to clean. Also, the cleaning tips really work! I had no idea how to clean my curtains or horizontal blinds, but now I do and can't wait to get the whole house in order. I would buy this book as a gift for a new homeowner or newlyweds.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is there anyone out there that likes to clean? Not me. I've found that if I keep to a regular schedule I can keep the house in some reasonable order, without wallowing in filth. I always figure books like this seem simplistic to the natural "cleaners" in the world. For me, the straight photos are perfect. I get it. Now, I just have to DO the cleaning :)

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on cleaning with fantastic short cuts, especially the home made alternative to cleaning products.

Oh yeh.....the visual cues and pix help too. Well organized book, break down into section.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be great for kids/students about to embark on their first apartment.
Very visual with bright, colored photographs (as all DK books are).
I liked the 10 tips for each section along with the photos of must-have items for each task.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great refresher course on cleaning stuff--lots of "green" ideas and info on electronics.

[Gina]

Decent book. Learned a few tips.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for someone just starting out on their own.
Detailed basics, well organized with easy to read & follow instructions.

[Deyara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice layout with lots of pictures. Covers both basic and more complex hints, and has a lot of cheap "natural" cleaning recipes using baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice etc.

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much useful info, just lists of the same stuff you see everywhere. I was looking for some new ideas. I didn't see any.

[Martha]

extensive use of sponges: a no-go-to for me